NeuroFlex: Feasibility of EEG-Based Motor Imagery Control of a Soft Glove for Hand Rehabilitation

Motor impairments resulting from neurological disorders, such as strokes or spinal cord injuries, often impair hand and finger mobility, restricting a person's ability to grasp and perform fine motor tasks. Brain plasticity refers to the inherent capability of the central nervous system to functionally and structurally reorganize itself in response to stimulation, which underpins rehabilitation from brain injuries or strokes. Linking voluntary cortical activity with corresponding motor execution has been identified as effective in promoting adaptive plasticity. This study introduces NeuroFlex, a motion-intent-controlled soft robotic glove for hand rehabilitation. NeuroFlex utilizes a transformer-based deep learning (DL) architecture to decode motion intent from motor imagery (MI) EEG data and translate it into control inputs for the assistive glove. The glove's soft, lightweight, and flexible design enables users to perform rehabilitation exercises involving fist formation and grasping movements, aligning with natural hand functions for fine motor practices. The results show that the accuracy of decoding the intent of fingers making a fist from MI EEG can reach up to 85.3%, with an average AUC of 0.88. NeuroFlex demonstrates the feasibility of detecting and assisting the patient's attempted movements using pure thinking through a non-intrusive brain-computer interface (BCI). This EEG-based soft glove aims to enhance the effectiveness and user experience of rehabilitation protocols, providing the possibility of extending therapeutic opportunities outside clinical settings.